NAMA, NAMASMARAN AND TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT (PART 6): DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR
Posted by on Monday, 24th February 2014
NAMA, NAMASMARAN AND TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT (PART 6): DR. SHRINIWAS JANARDAN KASHALIKAR
Student: How would you categorize your writing?
Teacher: I cannot categorize it. It did not belong to any specific category. But being eclectic it had elements from all. I thought it represented the aspirations of all the philosophies and traditions I came across. But all that writing was still a groping in the dark! The views were honest but not fully inclusive. Still they were piecemeal solutions. Probably; they were aimed at being holistic i.e. universal; but still were not holistic and hence could not heal the root causes. Naturally; there was no fulfillment inside and there was no tangible result outside!
Student: But while doing all this; weren’t there any hindrances, disputes, conflicts? Didn’t your career and your personal ambitions come in the way? What about the response of the family members?
Teacher: There were hindrances. But even though we were not fully aware; everybody around had similar aspirations in as much as limitations. Hence even though there were disputes, conflicts and also difficulties; in family and personal life, they were not inimical and vicious. They were not ill intended. They were not petty. They never revolved around money and property. Probably because of this reason there was no; out and out malice. The deeper warm bonds were not severed. Therefore the tensions in different relationships; triggered a further and more intense search for a holistic solution; and the difficulties in this search triggered even keener study and exploration, which concurred with and in fact complemented and boosted my professional competence; as a teacher.
Student: But how could one bring about socio-political changes, in absence of active participation in politics or social movements? Moreover how could one get a promotion in job; in absence of any value for your work? How could one improve one’s financial status, without following the demands of the job and market? In such a situation; you must have been deeply unsatisfied, suffered and gone through a lot of turmoil!
Teacher: That is true. I was in turmoil. Neither personal success, nor the social goals; were being realized. It created self doubts, self abnegation, and self pity and so on. I had nothing to hold on to!
But in spite of all this; there was much more than a silver lining! I always had enormous and intense; though far from complete; fulfillment in terms of being in tune with the inner voice of my conscience! This inner prompting; even as it was quite indistinct; it gave me assurance that I was on right track! Hence in spite of turmoil; I was not fully convinced by; and involved in; any of the sociopolitical movements going on; and I was not totally enamored and trapped in the pursuits for individualistic success.
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NAMA, NAMASMARAN AND TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT (PART 5) DR SHRINIWAS J. KASHALIKAR
Posted by on Friday, 21st February 2014
NAMA, NAMASMARAN AND TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT (PART 5) DR SHRINIWAS J. KASHALIKAR
Student: Did you; as a result; turn to spiritualism and NAMASMARAN?
Teacher: Actually; during this learning process itself; I was never cut off from religion, spiritualism, occultism, mysticism etc. I was eclectic. I was always enthusiastic to know and accept, anything; globally benevolent and internally satisfying.
Student: What merit did you find in spiritualism?
Teacher: There was something magnanimous and noble in the religious and spiritual traditions that attracted me and commanded my respect and even reverence. I did not know what it was, but there was something that haunted me! It could be; the perspective of universal unity, utmost noble heartedness, total selflessness, unquestionable honesty, exemplary simplicity, adorable kindness or something extraordinary linked God i.e. true self!
Student: What were the shortcomings?
Teacher: I thought the religion and spiritualism were alien from the socioeconomic and political mainstream. Various cults, traditions, creeds and religious practices appeared marginalized and merely survived on donations. I thought they had become the caricatures of themselves; even though; in some instances at least; they did some appreciable charitable work.
I found that spiritualism that I came across; provided temporary psychological solace, without much change in the objective conditions, in which a person lived.
In short I could not be satisfied by materialistic approach as well as the religious and spiritual traditions I came across. I could not find a way of simultaneous inner as well as outer; and individual as well as global blossoming.
Student: That means; you were not quite satisfied with the then prevalent materialism as well as spiritualism!
Teacher: I felt that I had yet to meet the “self” of atheists and “God” of theists! Actually I could, though faintly; perceive the fact that; what the atheists would call self, was the same, which was revered by the theists as God. This was why I could neither dislike atheist tradition; nor the theist tradition.
Student: But this must have kept you away from both traditions!
Teacher: I was not away from them, but I was not a conformist part of them.
I tried to pursue the whisper of my deep instincts, which cherished the essence of both traditions as and in the form I came across, but was not in perfect conformity with any of them.
I had a distinct feeling that; innate aspirations of all the doctrines I came across; were those of global welfare and innate fulfillment. They were in complete agreement. But I was not able to identify the link connecting them. Hence intellectually as well as emotionally; I was restless. I had a lot to learn. I had to expand my perspective. I had to expand my intellectual as well as emotional horizons. I was falling short. Hence I kept on reading and experimenting. But I did not find any specific solution. I merely came to a provisional conclusion that there was a need to raise the mass consciousness, trigger mass awakening; and initiate or boost the fight against injustice in every field. I began to write and share my restlessness, my criticism, my enthusiasm and my dreams.
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NAMA, NAMASMARAN AND TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT (PART 4) DR SHRINIWAS J. KASHALIKAR
Posted by on Thursday, 20th February 2014
NAMA, NAMASMARAN AND TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT (PART 4) DR SHRINIWAS J. KASHALIKAR
Student: I see! This must have prompted you to search for some more effective solutions.
Teacher: Yes. That is why; even as I did not give up charity; I thought; much more was needed than mere charity.
Student: Was it at this time; that you turned to NAMASMARAN?
Teacher: No! Later; besides biographies and other philosophical books, I came across literature on Marxism and various thought currents in leftist ideology.
Student: What did you find in it?
Teacher: I found the urge for ending exploitation, injustice and resultant misery in society in Marxism. It was and is; more than laudable.
I found atheism as an empowering doctrine; as I thought it could free an individual from the paranoia of God, fear of God, dependence on God and so on! I thought it could emancipate the downtrodden including me; to rise above the parasitic mentality to look towards God; for help and support; in any and every difficulty. I thought it was an empowering as well as enlightening doctrine. Because; it inspired one and all; to study, analyze, rationalize and contemplate on problems; and search for solutions; rather than attributing every kind of justice and injustice to some imaginary God! I saw it as a doctrine that wakened and enlivened one and all; to vibrant, dynamic and brave life; from the darkness, degeneration and decay of ignorance, indolence, cowardice and parasitism!
Student: Why did not you continue to be a Marxist?
Teacher: Actually; I was influenced by Marxism; to think that for every malady in society; the root cause was socioeconomic deprivation and the root cause of this; was exploitation.
But I realized through my experiences; that; “Equality is not and should not be a kind of regimentalization. Castes and caste differences, religions and the religious differences, classes and the class differences could not be eliminated; through coercion. Lastly; exploitation is far more deep rooted than apparent; and is complemented by both; the exploiters as well as the exploited ones. The divisions; of the society in castes, creeds, religions and classes; are only broadly realistic. They are not watertight compartments. In fact; all these are so much interwoven and intermingled that no kind of caste, creed, religion, race or class struggle is; feasible and justifiable. There is an exploiter element; in as much as; there is an exploited element; in every individual, including myself! Whether of one caste, creed, religion, race or nationality or another; such struggles can bring about at best; only external, superficial and temporary changes, without elimination of the deep seated evils inside”!
Moreover I never felt comfortable; to consider the religions, which I thought were really well meaning; as a pill of opium. I did not think that the kind hearted and selfless saints were merchants of opium.
Student: This means; you could not remain in spell of charity as well as class or caste struggle!
Teacher: Yes! That is true! But I was keen to cherish the essence of both!
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NAMA, NAMASMARAN AND TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT (PART 3) DR SHRINIWAS J. KASHALIKAR
Posted by on Sunday, 16th February 2014
NAMA, NAMASMARAN AND TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT (PART 3) DR SHRINIWAS J. KASHALIKAR
Student: This was apparently because; you were still superficial. You had not gone to the depths. Oh! Do you think I am also superficial at present?
Teacher: Don’t feel bad! But it is natural to be superficial initially!
It is only later; that I began to get disturbed by poverty; and other miseries in the society; born out of it; besides of course; my own needs and wants, which were increasing as I was growing. Hence there was growing urge to help others; apart from petty pursuits!
I began to study and follow wherever feasible; the teachings of different thinkers and visionaries; in different fields of life; in addition to the curricular texts; so as to improve myself.
Around this time I also came across NAMASMARAN. But it appeared gullible or callous to me; to simply advocate NAMASMARAN for every problem, instead of actively helping the suffering people! Hence I found that one of the simplest, easiest and practical things; to improve myself was to try and be charitable.
Student: You must have tried it!
Teacher: Yes! I did. But through my experiences and observations over years; I found; that even as charity was necessary; as an immediate rescue and relief activity; on the long term basis; it proved to be insufficient; and at best; a palliative symptomatic treatment. It could not be a radical treatment of the root cause.
Student: Can you clarify? At least apparently; the charity in any form; is a very noble activity. It has a healing effect. It gives solace to millions.
Teacher: I will clarify what I mean. Charity is always nobler; as and when compared with total inaction, self centeredness, petty selfishness, profiteering or meanness. Charity does help in emergency situations. It is extremely valuable as a rehabilitatory activity. Moreover; it is also important in terms of satisfying our own innate need to help others! Actually in absence of charity all of us get suffocated, though most often we are not aware of this deep rooted suffocation due to being cut off from our own conscience!
But the reason I felt unsatisfied with charity; was because; barring emergency situations; often it was found to be misused. It led to perpetuation of irresponsibility, dependency, lethargy and parasitic tendencies; in those who were beneficiaries and it developed condescending attitude, arrogance; and even cheating and unabated exploitative behavior in those who practiced charity. Through introspection I found that charity did not eliminate the evils within me; whether I was a helping person or a helped one!
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NAMA, NAMASMARAN AND TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
Posted by on Saturday, 15th February 2014
NAMA, NAMASMARAN AND TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT: (A HEART TO HEART DIALOGUE) PART 2.
DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
Student: I understand what you say; but not quite convinced by the analogies! It is difficult to accept NAMASMARAN even provisionally and begin its practice!
Teacher: We have to bear in mind that most of us; are initially ignorant; like a new born baby. If new born baby did not breathe; because it did not know about its value; then it would be dead. In the same way; if we did not practice NAMASMARAN; right from the beginning, then we would be dead due to deprivation from the nectar of conscience; deep within us! Hence even if you are not convinced about the analogies; it is vital to begin practicing it. In the course of our discussion and your own practice; you may either confirm its pivotal role in Total Stress Management and accept it; or rule out its role altogether; and reject it!
Student: OK Sir! Even as it is difficult; I will do it. This is because; firstly; I respect your earnestness; and secondly; if I am not convinced at the end; I am free to quit it. But Sir, Please tell me how I should start its practice.
Teacher: It is advisable to start remembering the name of any entity you love and revere selflessly and maximally. This is important because; this remembrance of a particular name you choose; is the first step; to realize the ultimate truth, which it implies! Secondly; you may remember it audibly or silently, may or may not use a rosary and do this; when you wake up in morning, before you go to bed; and before eating or drinking!
Student: Is that all? No other conditions?
Teacher: Yes! That is all! No conditions. No other paraphernalia!
Now; let us come back to your question. This doubt about NAMASMARAN arises; firstly because; there is a conflict in our mind; produced by what we observe and what we are preached. On the one hand; we observe all the life; full of its complexities and contradictions, which appears real; and on the other; we are preached that it is transient, ephemeral and illusory.
We find it difficult to reconcile; the day to day inevitable struggle to fulfill the needs for survival; such as food, water, shelter; and the idealism of seeking and realizing the truth beyond all these! We find it hard to bridge the chasm between the day to day apparently real suffering; and the apparently illusory quest of truth; in the form of different modes of devotion, penance and meditation including NAMASMARAN. We find it difficult to relate the actual transactions in life (political, economic, educational, medical and other fields of life); and the apparently inconsequential, superfluous and idealistic pursuits. In fact; we are unable to see any coherence between the compulsions of daily life and the so called urge supposed to be present in every one; to seek and realize truth, which of course, we hardly know!
Student: You have restated my question more explicitly and exactly! How can this idle practice of NAMASMARAN (or other devotional practices involved in religions and or spiritualism), devoid of any rational and tangible solutions and activities; help in Total Stress Management?
Teacher: I understand your question, because even I had this question once upon a time! We will come to it in sequence.
During childhood; I was neither aware of the meaning, causes, dimensions, mechanisms of stress; and its far reaching effects on individual and social life, nor I understood the meaning of NAMASMARAN!
In those days; I used to feel contented for a while; in passing, getting ranks, getting awards, winning competitions, friendships, achievements, entertainment, infatuations, utopia and also; helping the others in one way or another. The pains and failures did disturb, albeit temporarily. What could be the reason for all this?
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